'''''The Tortoise and the Hare''''' is a [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation 1935]] SillySymphonies short, 49th in that series, and is a milestone short in the WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts lineup.

The story is a basic adaptation of Aesop's classic fable, centered around the cocky speedster Max Hare, competing with the friendly but slow-witted Toby Tortoise. However, what sets this short apart is not its bare-bone story, but rather what it introduced into cartoons. The characters, while simplistic and one-dimensional, were a fairly good advancement as far as characterization went for Disney shorts of the time period. Another important aspect the short helped pioneer was the use of faster speed in cartoons, setting an example that would be copied by the WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes studio in some of their own cartoons. Another thing this short is notable for is Max Hare being the inspiration for the character of WesternAnimation/BugsBunny, as claimed by Creator/TexAvery.

The short was a hit when it was released, earning the 1935 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for cartoon short subjects. The short was popular enough to receive a follow-up in 1936, '''''Toby Tortoise Returns''''', featuring a rematch between Max and Toby, but with a boxing match rather than a race. The short is particularly interesting in that it features not only an original story not based on a previous fable or myth, it was Disney's most cartoony short ever done since the earliest days of MickeyMouse, with lots of strong exaggeration, cartoony gags and a non-sentimental tone that make it feel like a proto-WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes short--quite ironic when one realizes the Looney Tunes were only mildly cartoony during that time, instead trying to fruitlessly ape Disney's traditional short cartoons in terms of pathos and storytelling. "Returns" was also notable for being the first major animation assignment of Ward Kimball, one of Creator/DisneysNineOldMen and noted for being Disney's most cartoony director, which is probably why this short turned out so different from a typical Disney cartoon.

Curiously, a similar cartoon would be made to this in 1938 by WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes director Creator/BobClampett, a short cartoon called "[[WesternAnimation/PorkyPig Porky]] & [[WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck Daffy]]", which also features a boxing match and decidedly cartoony gags. Perhaps the short was, shall we say, an "inspiration" for Mr. Clampett?----!!Tropes Both Shorts Contain:* {{Adorkable}}: Toby Tortoise.* {{Allegory}}: The true message of the short could be seen as this: Don't get overconfident because it can lead to underestimating your opponent, which can be the biggest mistake anyone can make in a competition.* AnAesop: He who takes his time will get there in the end. * AnimationBump: The original cartoon isn't badly animated, but it looks pretty shabby when you compare it to "Toby Tortoise Returns".* AnnoyingLaugh: Max Hare. "Haha haha hahaaaaa...."* BreakingTheFourthWall: When Toby comes across Max sleeping, he turns to the audience, and shushes them.* TheCameo:** The bunny girls that swoon over Max make a blink and you'll miss it cameo in Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit.** Many other Silly Symphonies characters appear in the sequel short, including Jenny Wren from "Who Killed Cock Robin?" and Practical Pig from "Disney/ThreeLittlePigs".** When Jenny arrives, she steals the heart of everyone in the audience, among them Horace Horsecollar, WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} and WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck.* CaptainErsatz: As noted above, WesternAnimation/BugsBunny is essentially a more fleshed out interpretation of Max Hare.* CurbStompBattle: Toby is utterly hopeless against beating Max in "Returns", until Max stuffs fireworks and firecrackers into his shell, which upon lighting send Toby flying, finally allowing him to ([[HoistByHisOwnPetard inadvertedly]]) get the upper hand.** CurbstompCushion: This is provoked by Toby hiding inside his shell, which Max is unable to penetrate (he gets a mouse trap to the hand when he tries to pull Toby out).* DenserAndWackier: Compared to the usual more earnest or sweet natured ''Silly Symphonies'' fare, these two shorts, but especially the second, are much more odd-ball in tone, even getting in a few risqué jokes.* DistractedByTheSexy: Max Hare's ultimate undoing in the first short, spending the entire latter half of the cartoon showboating for four young female bunnies.* DoubleEntendre: Delivered by Mae West [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed ersatz]] [[MsFanservice Jenny Wren]] to Toby when he is knocked out of the ring and needs some motivation.-->''"I like a man that takes his time..."''* GoodIsDumb: Toby Tortoise is at least rather slow-minded and clumsy. However he prevails by not being insanely arrogant as Max Hare is.* HammerSpace: Toby's small shell is capable of holding lots of firecrackers, a mouse-trap, a fair amount of water, and a diving helmet!* JerkAss: Max Hare* MickeyMousing: At some parts of "Toby Tortoise Returns".* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Max Hare is based on boxer Max Baer.* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: Toby Tortoise Returns, of course.* SmallNameBigEgo: In both shorts, Max' biggest undoing is less Toby himself and more his extreme overconfidence. He actually has to give Toby an opening several times over by showing off for him to finally lose the upper hand.* SmellySkunk: Appears as a gag in the first short.* SuperSpeed: A trait of Max Hare. His speed is fast enough to where the wind from it can completely uproot a tree!* TurtlePower: Ol' Toby Tortoise.* WheelOFeet: A proto-example is done by Max Hare.* ZanyCartoon: "Toby Tortoise Returns", a rarity for Disney cartoons in general.----